Graham Beal, Director of the DIA, gave an opening statement congratulating Mexico on the 200th anniversary of the beginning of its war of independence in 1810, and providing detailed explanation onthe Rivera Court.  Diego Rivera's magnificent fresco is officially entitled "The Detroit Industry", butis commonly known as the Rivera Court. This mural, consisting of 27 panels, was commissioned by Edsel Ford and former director of the DIA, William Valentiner back in 1932, and it cleverly establishes a link between nature, Michigan technology, and Mexico's mythology, for example,through two of its panels that show operators working at Ford's River Rouge Plant.

During the event, the Consul of Mexico addressed the audience and explained that this ceremony is held year after year in the 145 Mexican consulate and embassies around the world, and he spoke at length about the importance of the economic relationship between Mexico and the State of Michigan, something that was highlighted during the presentation of the video sent byGov. Granholm to congratulate Mexico on the Bicentennial of its independence.

The  celebration also counted with the presence of the Hon. Robert Ficano, Wayne County Executive, who spoke to the audience before presenting two proclamations to the Consul of Mexico on behalf of Wayne County.  Other commissioners present were David Flynn and Ed Brule, of Macomb County.

Among the 300 guests present at the event were several important political, business, and academic figures such as Jessica Pellegrino, Senior Executive Project Manager for the Office of Wayne County Executive; the consuls of Spain, Iraq, Chile, and Macedonia; Felipe Martinez, representing the Mayor of Detroit; and representatives of Wayne State University,  Madonna University, Lawrence Technological University,  the  MSU Alumni Association, Ford Motor Company, the Commission on Spanish speaking Affairs of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth in the State of Michigan, APROMEX (The Association of Mexican Professionals in Michigan), and special guest Carl Galeana, a direct descendant from one of Mexico's most important historical figures from the independence movement, Gen. Hermenegildo Galeana.

As president of one of the largest automotive groups in the US, and Chairman of the North American International Auto Show in 2007 and 2008, Carl Galeana addressed the audience providing details about his heroic ancestor, and recounted how his family arrived to live in the US generations ago.  He emphasized the historic importance of immigration in the development of this country, while all throughout his speech, the image of Gen. Galeana was projected on a screen above him.

The official ceremony began by respectfully listening to the National Anthem of the United States as host country, followed by the official presentation of the Mexican flag being escorted and delivered to the Consul of Mexico, who then performed the traditional "El Grito" ceremony, followed by the Mexican National Anthem. At the end of the civic ceremony, the Mexican flag was escorted from the stage, and guests were invited to sample "Margaritas" and other beverages, as well the excellent food especially created for this occasion by the DIA in collaboration with a Mexican chef in MI. A sophisticated an elegant "Dessert bufftet" was provided by Lilian Chavira a Mexican dessert designer and owner of Gellocake-Gourmet Gelatins & Cakes.